http://www.riddlesdownresidents.org.uk/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.plGeneral >> General Board >> Bonfireshttp://www.riddlesdownresidents.org.uk/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1178921519Message started by Smoke Free Oakwood on May 11th, 2007 at 10:11pm

Title: Bonfires
Post by Smoke Free Oakwood on May 11th, 2007 at 10:11pm

We have lived in Oakwood Avenue for over 10 years and our time has been blighted by one recurring problem - bonfires!

Why oh why on a warm sunny day does anyone let alone on occassions three or four residents of the area think it is acceptable to light a bonfire?

Far too often we have to rush upstairs and shut our windows as yet again some loon lights up at typically 5 or 6 pm. The main offenders are in Selcroft and Riddlesdown Roads, or the two newer houses at the end of Warren Road.

We have involved the council who have come out in the afternoon but they are 9-5ers and cannot tackle the biggest problem which is summer evenings.

Are others blighted in the same way and how can we nail this problem once and for all?

Title: Re: Bonfires
Post by Dellibelli on Aug 7th, 2007 at 8:25am

I sincerely regret that your are wrongly pointing the finger at riddlesdown road and selcroft avenue mereley because you are living on the opposite side of the valley.

The problem is due to mindless individuals who live in riddlesdown, kenley and purley that take it upon themselves due to bone idleness and and their single quest to pollute the atmosphere for others arround them. It is clear that they have no regard for a) the environment b) surrounding countryside and c) for their own and surrounding homes homes as one ember from one of these bonfires could start a large fire and put lives at risk. As an insurance assessor the most common cause of burns & damage to homes at this time of year is from those who decide burn garden rubbish in their back garden (other than barbecues) .

There is kerb side collection for garden waste and purley oaks recycling centre is merely a mile away so there is not excuse not to USE IT.

Sympathy noted, but I must point out that Oakwood Avenue rund between Selcroft and Riddlesdown Roads and the culprits that affect US live in those two roads.

That said, being on a ridge, smoke does come up to us from further afield, notably Downs Court Road and Cliff End.

This Sunday just gone a monsterous acrid inferno was lit in a Downs Court Road garden at 8 pm on the hottest day of the year, no less. I went down there, but there was already a row going on with someone else.

The air here still stank at midnight.

It is the council who should resolve this, but more than that I believe bonfires should be illegal from March to October inclusive.

Title: Re: Bonfires
Post by Phil_Thomas on Aug 7th, 2007 at 6:03pm

Persistent offenders can be prosecuted by the Council - see link below to the Council's web site